Tumeric is so much more than just a 'spice to add some flavour and colour' to your meals. It comes with an incredible amount of benefits, and in this blog, we are going to share with you just a few! But get your gloves ready - fresh Tumeric doesn't half stain! :)

Tumeric has been used for well over 2500 years in India. With more and more research coming out about it's benefits we're certain you'll be wanting to make it part of your day!

One thing to keep in mind with Tumeric, is that consuming it with Black Pepper increases its bioavailability - basically it increases it's super-powers!

So, what are the benefits of tumeric?

Anti Inflammatory and Pain KillerCurcumin is a natural painkiller and cox-2 inhibitor. One study compared curcumin to ibuprofen for pain relief in knee osteoarthritis patients and found that the curcumin worked just as well as ibuprofen. Several studies found that curcumin has potent anti-inflammatory properties. The Arthritis Foundation have actually found turmeric to be effective at reducing joint inflammation and pain, with one of the studies even finding curcumin to be better at reducing pain and swelling in patients with rheumatoid arthritis than diclofenac, an NSAID that is commonly prescribed for people with RA.

AntibacterialCurcumin is the active component of Tumeric and studies have shown that it has antibacterial properties. Not only is it great to ingest but it can be used on cuts and burns to promote fast healing - we've tried it and it really works!

Improves SleepIt has been reported to help troubled sleepers! So a great recipe to try before bed would be a Tumeric milk drink. Here at Yin Yan HQ we like to use a Dairy free milk, Fresh Tumeric, Black Pepper, Fresh Ginger and some agave syrup. Throw them all in the pan, warm them up, relax and enjoy! Also, if sleep is an issue for you, a little regular exercise and stress relief will make a significant difference to your whole week.

Depression and AnxietyIn a study comparing the effects of Tumeric on those who had been taking Prozac for depression, the people who consumed both Prozac and Curcumin (tumeric) together had the best results, while those taking either prozac alone or curcumin alone had very similar results. Indicating Curcumin could work just as well as Prozac. Couple this with one or two of our classes each week and we are certain you'll see an improvement!

Multiple SclorosisIn a study at Vanderbilt University, they discovered that MS is actually a rare disease in India and China, where Tumeric is consumed on a regular basis. Tumeric has shown promise in slowing the progression of MS and it was even shown to prevent the onset of an autoimmune disease in mice that was similar to MS in humans.

Parkinson's DiseaseAccording to Michigan state university, curcumin can prevent clumping of a protein that leads to Parkinson’s. Curcumin crosses the blood-brain barrier and is a known neuroprotective agent. Several studies have found that curcumin may be beneficial in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.

Liver HealthTumeric is believed to be a natural liver detoxifier. One study found that it may protect against alcohol-induced liver damage as well as damage caused by a high fat diet.

Weight lossResearch found that curcumin may be a powerful tool in the fight against obesity and its related symptoms. Curcumin reduces leptin resistance, lowers insulin resistance, reverses hyperglycemia, reduces inflammation, and activates fat burning gene signals. Team this with one or two weekly classes and watch the weight drop off :)

Alzheimers PreventionIt has long been noted that elderly people in India have low rates of Alzheimer’s disease. One reason may be that they consume a lot of turmeric in their diets. A study found that curcumin may prevent or slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease by removing amyloyd plaque buildup in the brain.

Metastasis PreventionMultiple studies have found that turmeric aids the prevention of metastasis, the spread of cancer from the primary site to other areas of the body.

Prostate cancerOne study found that turmeric, when combined with cruciferous vegetables, may prevent prostate cancer and stop or slow the growth of existing prostate cancer.

Brain TumoursOne of the biggest health benefits of turmeric is in the prevention and treatment of cancer. Research has found that curcumin induces cell death in medulloblastoma, a pediatric brain tumor. Other studies have found that it may induce cell death in glioblastomas, an aggressive type of brain tumor that is resistant to chemo and radiation.

These are just a few incredible benefits of Tumeric, there is so much information out there on it that we could write pages and pages on the stuff! Add a sprinkle in to your meal, or even try our tasty drink concoction and let us know how you get on!